(Trigger Warning: This Chapter contains explicit content and is intended for mature readers.)
“Levi?” I called softly.
He didn’t turn around imdiately. His shoulders remained tense, his gaze fixed on the darkening forest. The usual playfulness that defined him was nowhere to be seen.
“Hey,” he finally said, his voice lacking its typical energy.
I stepped closer, wrapping my arms around myself against the evening chill. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” he answered too quickly.
“Levi,” I said gently, moving to stand beside him. “I know you better than that.”
He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair—a gesture so similar to what Liam had done monts earlier that my heart ached at the reminder of their connection as triplets.
“It’s nothing,” he insisted, but his clenched jaw said otherwise.
I placed my hand on his arm. “Please talk to .”
Levi finally turned to look at , his green eyes stormy with emotion. “What do you want to say, Hazel? That I’m thrilled about sharing you with soone else? With Leo of all people?”
His voice cracked slightly on Leo’s na, and I felt a pang of guilt pierce my chest.
“I just want you to be honest with ,” I whispered.
Levi exhaled sharply, his shoulders slumping. “Fine. I hate it, okay? I absolutely hate it.”
The raw honesty in his voice made step back. This was the Levi few people got to see—the one behind the jokes and flirtatious remarks.
“It’s different with Lucas and Liam,” he continued, words tumbling out now. “We’re triplets. We’ve shared everything our entire lives. Our birthday, our clothes, our toys—” He gestured vaguely between us. “This doesn’t feel weird because it’s always been the three of us.”
I nodded, understanding.
“But Leo?” Levi’s voice turned bitter. “He’s not us. He’s not part of our unit. He’s our cousin we didn’t even know existed until days ago.”
“I know,” I said softly.
“And now I’m supposed to be okay with him being your fated mate too?” Levi shook his head, laughing without humor. “That’s a lot to ask, Hazel.”
“I’m not asking you to be okay with it,” I said quickly. “I won’t accept Leo as a mate if you guys aren’t comfortable with the idea. Besides, we don’t even know if Leo wants that way. He’s probably still in love with my sister, Helena.”
Levi’s eyes widened, and he reached out to grab my hands. “No, no, don’t do that,” he said urgently. “Don’t make promises like that.”
“But—”
“I’m upset, yes,” he admitted. “But that doesn’t an I want you to deny a part of yourself. If Leo is truly your fated mate too, then...” He swallowed hard. “Then I’ll learn to deal with it.”
“You will?” I asked skeptically.
“I’ll try,” he corrected, his lips quirking up slightly. “That’s the best I can offer right now.”
I squeezed his hands. “That’s more than enough.”
“And don’t kid yourself about Leo not wanting you,” Levi added, a hint of his usual playfulness returning. “He might be hung up on Helena, but I’ve seen how he looks at you. The mate bond isn’t sothing even he can ignore forever.”
We stood in silence for a mont, the tension gradually easing between us.
“Want to go for a run?” I suggested suddenly. “Clear our heads a bit?”
Levi’s eyes lit up. “Now that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
Without another word, we both stepped off the porch and began removing our clothes. The night air kissed my bare skin as I folded my clothes neatly on the porch steps.
I let my wolf take over, feeling the familiar rush of my bones shifting and reforming. Seconds later, I stood on four paws, shaking out my silver-gray fur. Beside , Levi’s massive black wolf towered over my smaller fra, his golden eyes gleaming in the moonlight.
He nudged my side with his muzzle before taking off into the trees. I followed close behind, reveling in the freedom of running through the forest. The scent of pine and earth filled my nostrils as we weaved between trees, fallen logs, and over small streams.
Levi led deeper into the forest, following a path that seed strangely familiar. We ran for what felt like hours but was probably only minutes, until we reached a small clearing bathed in moonlight.
I skidded to a stop, recognition washing over . A crystal-clear pond reflected the starry sky, surrounded by wildflowers that glowed silver in the moonlight.
Levi shifted back to his human form, and I quickly followed suit.
“This place,” I said breathlessly, looking around. “It’s where—”
“Where we found you that day,” Levi finished, his voice soft. “When you ran away after we upset you.”
“The first ti I saw your wolves,” I murmured, mories flooding back.
“Full circle, huh?” Levi smiled, stepping closer to .
The moonlight sculpted his naked body into sothing almost ethereal—highlighting the defined muscles of his chest, the sharp angles of his hips, the smooth skin stretched over powerful thighs.
“I was so scared of you guys back then,” I admitted, suddenly very aware of our nakedness.
“And now?” Levi asked, his voice dropping lower as he closed the distance between us.
“Now I’m scared of how much I love you,” I whispered. “All of you.”
Levi’s eyes darkened. Without warning, he pulled against him, his lips crashing down on mine with an urgency that made my knees weak. His hands road my body freely, leaving trails of heat wherever they touched.
“Levi,” I gasped as his mouth moved to my neck, teeth grazing over my pulse point.
“I need you,” he growled against my skin. “Right here. Right now.”
I nodded, unable to form words as his hands cupped my breasts, thumbs circling my hardening nipples. My body responded instantly to his touch, a familiar heat building between my legs.
Levi backed up against a nearby tree, lifting effortlessly. I wrapped my legs around his waist, feeling his hardness press against .
“Tell you’re mine,” he demanded, his voice husky with desire. “Ours.”
“I’m yours,” I breathed. “Always yours.”
He captured my mouth again, his kiss possessive and hungry. One hand slid between us, fingers finding my wet heat.
“So ready for ,” he murmured appreciatively, stroking until I whimpered his na.
The forest around us seed to fade away as Levi positioned himself at my entrance, his eyes locked with mine. The playful triplet was gone, replaced by a man consud with primal need.
“I love you, Hazel,” he whispered, just before pushing into with one powerful thrust.
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